Post by Jamie Crawford on Sept 12, 2022 16:32:38 GMT
Hartpury preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 2, Hartpury University RFC v Doncaster Knights, ALPAS Arena, Hartpury
KO 2.30pm.
Hartpury RFC welcome Doncaster Knights for their second consecutive away game.
Hartpury University RFC
Mixes youth with experience and has excellent links with Aviva Premiership side Gloucester Rugby. The close relationship between the two has seen a number of dual-registered (DR) players, all of whom are current or recently departed Hartpury students, pulling on the red and black Hartpury jersey as well as the Cherry and Whites strip. Last season eight Gloucester players played for Hartpury; the only student-led team in the Championship.
New Signings
Hartpury have recruited well but reduced their squad, Prop Sam Rodman from Cornish Pirates, popular Back Row Jack Davies from the Knights, Alex Forrester from Clifton and Harry Fry from Dragons. They can rely on players DR with Gloucester.
Recent head to head performances
Last season the Knights returned the 15-20 victors from Hartpury but only won by one point at Castle Park (11-10). It was only a Sam Olver penalty scored just before the referee blew for an end to the game that won a ‘slog of a game’ where the weather dictated scrappy play.
Last time out
Hartpury went to the Wirral to play Championship newcomers Caldy. They returned winners with a bonus point, 22-33. Hartpury Scrum Half JB Bruzulier dotted down twice and their other three tries were scored by Prop Aristot Benz-Solomon, Flanker Joe Howard and substitute Prop Harry Fry. Newcomers Caldy earned a losing bonus point by scoring four tries in reply.
The travelling support thought that it was a game of two halves from the Knights. There seemed parity in the first half (1/2 time score: 8-7) but the second half, saw the Knights give away possession too often by inaccurate kicking for territory (FT score: 29-10). The Knights defended well but conceding points was inevitable when giving that much possession away. Ealing were proficient but did not appear unbeatable. The Knight’s try was scored by Winger George Simpson from a Harry Davey hand off. Knight defence was impressive but small errors hampered any kind of attack. Overall, not a thrashing by big-spending Trailfinders in their own back yard and it will probably be the Knights’ toughest game of the season. Much to be encouraged about.
Hartpury danger men
From just a single game this season, the Hartpury Forwards are already announcing their presence. A Prop scoring a try is an infrequent occurrence and normally indicates collective Forward dominance finished by one player, as was the case twice. Scrum Halves often peel off from behind a set piece dominated by their Forwards. Similar could be said about Flankers scoring from Forward supremacy. All five Hartpury tries were scored by the power of the Hartpury Forwards.
Centre Joseph Jenkins was the standout player v Caldy, although he didn’t score, Jenkins almost did and he created space for Hartpury.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Their Forwards are their main strength as has been discussed.
Hartpury’s defence was breached by a well-executed kick and chase, a midfield break with a pass to the winger, a Prop being driven over and the bonus point try was scored following a catch and drive. It appears that breaking their Backs defensive line and keeping the ball away from their Forwards was Hartpury’s weakness.
The rest of the Championship
Saturday
Ampthill v Ealing Trailfinders
Bedford Blues v London Scottish
Jersey Reds v Coventry
Richmond v Caldy
Sunday
Nottingham v Cornish Pirates
Three days before the Hartpury game the club announced the signing of prop James Wayland from Australian Shute Shield side, Eastwood.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 2, Hartpury University RFC v Doncaster Knights, ALPAS Arena, Hartpury
KO 2.30pm.
Hartpury RFC welcome Doncaster Knights for their second consecutive away game.
Hartpury University RFC
Mixes youth with experience and has excellent links with Aviva Premiership side Gloucester Rugby. The close relationship between the two has seen a number of dual-registered (DR) players, all of whom are current or recently departed Hartpury students, pulling on the red and black Hartpury jersey as well as the Cherry and Whites strip. Last season eight Gloucester players played for Hartpury; the only student-led team in the Championship.
New Signings
Hartpury have recruited well but reduced their squad, Prop Sam Rodman from Cornish Pirates, popular Back Row Jack Davies from the Knights, Alex Forrester from Clifton and Harry Fry from Dragons. They can rely on players DR with Gloucester.
Recent head to head performances
Last season the Knights returned the 15-20 victors from Hartpury but only won by one point at Castle Park (11-10). It was only a Sam Olver penalty scored just before the referee blew for an end to the game that won a ‘slog of a game’ where the weather dictated scrappy play.
Last time out
Hartpury went to the Wirral to play Championship newcomers Caldy. They returned winners with a bonus point, 22-33. Hartpury Scrum Half JB Bruzulier dotted down twice and their other three tries were scored by Prop Aristot Benz-Solomon, Flanker Joe Howard and substitute Prop Harry Fry. Newcomers Caldy earned a losing bonus point by scoring four tries in reply.
The travelling support thought that it was a game of two halves from the Knights. There seemed parity in the first half (1/2 time score: 8-7) but the second half, saw the Knights give away possession too often by inaccurate kicking for territory (FT score: 29-10). The Knights defended well but conceding points was inevitable when giving that much possession away. Ealing were proficient but did not appear unbeatable. The Knight’s try was scored by Winger George Simpson from a Harry Davey hand off. Knight defence was impressive but small errors hampered any kind of attack. Overall, not a thrashing by big-spending Trailfinders in their own back yard and it will probably be the Knights’ toughest game of the season. Much to be encouraged about.
Hartpury danger men
From just a single game this season, the Hartpury Forwards are already announcing their presence. A Prop scoring a try is an infrequent occurrence and normally indicates collective Forward dominance finished by one player, as was the case twice. Scrum Halves often peel off from behind a set piece dominated by their Forwards. Similar could be said about Flankers scoring from Forward supremacy. All five Hartpury tries were scored by the power of the Hartpury Forwards.
Centre Joseph Jenkins was the standout player v Caldy, although he didn’t score, Jenkins almost did and he created space for Hartpury.
Team strengths and weaknesses
Their Forwards are their main strength as has been discussed.
Hartpury’s defence was breached by a well-executed kick and chase, a midfield break with a pass to the winger, a Prop being driven over and the bonus point try was scored following a catch and drive. It appears that breaking their Backs defensive line and keeping the ball away from their Forwards was Hartpury’s weakness.
The rest of the Championship
Saturday
Ampthill v Ealing Trailfinders
Bedford Blues v London Scottish
Jersey Reds v Coventry
Richmond v Caldy
Sunday
Nottingham v Cornish Pirates
Three days before the Hartpury game the club announced the signing of prop James Wayland from Australian Shute Shield side, Eastwood.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
